placement

Information for 2017/18 Students about international research analyst opportunities

Challenges Worldwide is an international development NGO focussed on building the capacity of small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. We have supported over 2000 SMEs across 40 countries, seeking to generate income, sustainable economic growth and impact.

Challenges Worldwide is offering you the opportunity, as a talented and self-motivated student, to undertake a meaningful research project on enterprises and markets in emerging economies – either as part of a postgraduate dissertation or as a standalone research project. The programme is structured around a professional qualification with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

As a successful applicant, you will work in a vibrant, quickly-growing organisation with a fast-paced and collaborative culture that puts impact first. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, Challenges’ global HQ is an exciting hub of activity related to emerging markets, business growth and development.

The content of the research undertaken will be based on your interests. If the project is to contribute towards a dissertation – for example, to enable you to gather primary data as part of your research – you will largely decide the direction of the placement. If you are unsure of their research interests or would prefer to contribute towards Challenges’ work growing SMEs in developing contexts, we would provide the research brief for you.

The overseas placement can be completed in either Ghana or Rwanda. It can be combined with our student UK Research Analysts programme, to a combined total of 9-20 weeks, or can be a standalone project.

The programme is structured by a professional qualification with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Our Level 5 qualifications in Professional Consulting will give you the tools to complete your work with us to a professional standard – whilst giving you a qualification that is well recognised and regarded by employers.

Benefits

International research that will have a tangible development impact and/or contribute towards a postgraduate dissertation

Experience working abroad with an international organisation

Complete flexibility around your study/work schedule

Obtain a professional qualification from the Chartered Management Institute at a significant discount

Programme Structure

The programme will be between 6 and 10 weeks, according to your availability and research requirements. You’ll work with 3-4 SMEs in Ghana or Rwanda that are directly relevant to the research needs. For the cost of a qualification and a contribution towards staff time, you will receive:

Learning content and support in completing a globally-recognised professional qualification

Support from Challenges HQ before, during and after your programme

Contacts and meetings with the relevant partners on the ground

Help constructing your research brief, with fortnightly reports to monitor your progress

To complement your research, you will have access to the learning material for a Level 5 qualification in Professional Consulting, accredited by the CMI. To professionalise your experience with Challenges, you can choose between either a Certificate (2 units) or Diploma (6 units). See challengesworldwide.com/learn for the most up-to-date prices for the programme.

Please note:

The price does not include logistics of your travel. You are responsible for funding and arranging your flights, vaccines, insurance, transfers, accommodation, spending money, travel insurance etc.

Challenges Worldwide holds no responsibility for your health and safety or insurance

If completing the research placement as part of your dissertation, you will need to ensure it fulfils all of the institutional requirements of your particular department/university

Alastair Duncan has gone from strength to strength since his Challenges Worldwide ICS placement from January – April 2016 in Ghana.

Before his Challenges Worldwide ICS placement, Alastair was already eager to work abroad and gain international experience. His goal, to become a Business Analyst for Tata in Pena, India working within Jaguar Land Rover. He identified a Challenges Worldwide ICS placement as the way to achieve international experience, cultural adaptation and experience working in a business.

In his interview with Tata, Alastair was specifically asked about his Challenges Worldwide ICS placement as the overseas experience was essential to the Tata role. Indeed, Alastair stressed that this was “ not travelling” and he left the “gap year attitude” behind as he identified his placement as a sure way to realise his ambitions.

In addition to being valuable work experience, being accepted to live and work into a new community for a prolonged period of time, gave him a greater insight. Being modest, and analysing your own values and looking to “embrace what local people do, understand why rather than criticise and to break boundaries between yourself and counterparts” is one piece of advice he would offer to any volunteer about to go out on placement.

Modesty, along with managing his expectations and marinating a positive mindset, were central to making the most of the highlights. Alastair said that volunteers should “expect it to be life changing” but not to go with preconceived notions, positive or negative of their placement country. There will be ups and downs but in the end, Alastair would always remind volunteers, “You’ll get through it”.

So what exactly did Alastair gain in addition to international experience?

Central to his new role is the client relationship. Through CMI accredited training in-country, he was able to demonstrate to Tata that not only did part of the training he received on placement cover this area he implemented this training in a business during his placement.

For his Social and Entrepreneurial Action (Action at Home), Alastair has offered his newly developed skill set on a voluntary basis to an SME in London. This action aims to secure the success they have had in the first five years of business and has simultaneously allowed Alastair to demonstrate he is capable of transferring the skills he developed on placement to another working environment.

Alastair, we wish you all the best in the future and look forward to hearing more about your developing and exciting career!

During my 12 week placement with Challenges Worldwide in Zambia, I developed many skills that have helped me with my personal and professional development.

Organisation

Immediately it became apparent that to be part of the ICS programme you have to be organised. Leading up to placement there is a lot to prepare for; this includes all your pre-departure medical checks and vaccinations, as well as preparing documents for Visa’s and a variety of other things. Organisation skills can be applied to all positions, and taking part in an ICS placement really helps to develop these.

Communication

Strong interpersonal communication and listening skills allow you to communicate in a trustworthy manner. Working with other people, who may be from diverse backgrounds, with different perspectives, values and opinions can often be a challenge. Developing these skills is essential in consulting as countries continue to become more diverse. Challenges Worldwide helped direct and develop my communication techniques as well as understand the potential cultural differences that may occur on placement.

Awareness

Personally, the greatest area of my development was through my awareness of world issues and international development. This is a subject/industry that I find particularly interesting, and I always try to keep an eye on events. However, I struggled to understand, as a young graduate, how I could assist. This is why Challenges Worldwide/ICS is such a great programme, as they help you transfer your skillsets into unfamiliar areas. As my placement and many future placements will often be in rural, poverty stricken areas, it’s vital to understand how different day to day life is and to have the ability to apply your skills. Having a strong support network and access to resources will guide you along your journey, and these are great to share with in-country volunteers and individuals.

On my return, I was much more confident to drive myself to succeed. I could comfortably be interviewed for various positions, and my placement gave me more of an idea of where I wanted to go in life, and how the skills I learned can be used more effectively.

For the past two years I’ve worked in both the financial and medical sectors, I wouldn’t have had the ability to achieve this without my placement with Challenges Worldwide.

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